Championship Drag Racing

NHRA Carolinas Nationals
Charlotte, N.C.
(September 11-14)

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Bob Tasca III Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Shelby Mustang

Charlotte, Saturday:  After just missing out on Friday to earn a qualifying spot for Sunday’s inaugural NHRA Nationals in Charlotte, Bob Tasca III and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Shelby Mustang team earned the No. 12 qualifying position on Saturday after running one of the quickest passes of the day.

“It was really an extraordinary run under hot conditions,” said Tasca of his 4.119-second pass on Saturday. “I think that had to be our quickest 1,000 time ever, in the heat of the day. It was a big run, and I think that our team has shown race after race that when the backs are against the wall and we need to come up big, we do on Friday on Saturday. And now, obviously we need to do it on Sunday.”

Tasca and his team, while not qualified for the Countdown, are focused on gathering as much data for next year, and possibly playing the spoiler part for the remainder of the 2008 season.

“We had an awesome run in the first session, and then second session, we really just wanted to see what the racetrack would hold,” said Tasca. “And it was nice to be in that position, because a lot of times you’re just trying to get down to get a run in, and when you know you’re in and you know you’re safe, it gives you an opportunity to throw something at the race track.”

Tasca will face Cruz Pedregon in the first round of eliminations on Sunday. It will be the fourth meeting between the two, with Pedregon carrying the record lead against the rookie driver.

“Racing Cruz tomorrow, they’ve got a great race team there and his car has run fantastic this season,” said Tasca. “But I think our number is about to be pulled. We’ve got great team chemistry, we’ve got a great racecar and Chris [Cunningham, crew chief] can get this car to go down the racetrack. And I think tomorrow, under hot conditions, it’s going to be the crew chief that makes the right call that’s going to get the win. And I give these guys so much credit, Chris and the guys on the team, because they really give me a race car that is capable of winning, and that’s all you can ask of them.”

Tasca will make his 18^th career start in Sunday’s inaugural event at the new drag strip in Charlotte.

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